rital dynamics and daily memory among aging same-sex and different-sex couples

ObjectivesIn older adulthood, a spouse is often the closest relationship and a key source of support for health. Although prior research emphasizes the importance of rital dynamics for cognition, it predominantly focuses on different-sex couples. This leaves a critical gap in understanding how these processes might differ for aging same-sex couples. To address this gap, we examine how rital support and strain are associated with daily memory function among aging couples, exploring whether these associations differ between same-sex and different-sex rital dyads, with particular attention to gender differences.MethodsUsing 10-day dyadic diary data collected from 556 individuals aged 41–71 in same-sex and different-sex rried couples, we estite mixed-effects multilevel models to assess the associations between respondent- and spouse-reported rital dynamics and daily memory.Resultsrital strain—but not rital support—is significantly associated with daily memory failures among aging couples. This association is particularly pronounced for women in different-sex rriages compared to men and women in same-sex rriages and men in different-sex rriages. No significant partner effects are observed.DiscussionOur findings demonstrate that rital dynamics are linked to cognition and that these associations y vary in important ways for couples of different gender compositions. This study highlights the importance of identifying relationship-specific processes that y support or undermine cognitive health for aging couples across diverse rital contexts.